Key Points:
- Harold Hill Co-op store on Farnham Road was broken into overnight on 17 April 2025.
- Police were called just before midnight to reports of a suspected break-in.
- Damage was found to the store’s front shutter and items were stolen.
- Two suspects fled the scene and remain at large.
- No arrests have been made; enquiries are ongoing.
- A crime scene was established but has since been closed.
- Co-op spokesperson confirmed the incident occurred while the store was closed; it has since reopened.
A Co-op store in Harold Hill, Farnham Road, was broken into just before midnight on Thursday, 17 April 2025, prompting a police response and an active investigation.
Police were called at 11:55pm following reports of a “suspected break-in” at the retail premises. Upon arrival, officers discovered visible damage to the shop’s front shutter and confirmed that items had been stolen from inside. A crime scene was established overnight but has since been removed.
According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police, two suspects fled the location before officers arrived, and no arrests have yet been made. The investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Co-op confirmed that the break-in occurred during closing hours and that the store has now reopened to customers.
What happened at the Harold Hill Co-op in Farnham Road?
Police responded to emergency calls shortly before midnight regarding a break-in at the Co-op store in Harold Hill. Upon reaching the scene, officers found that the front shutter had been forced open, with a square hole clearly visible in the damaged structure. Items from within the store were reported stolen.
No injuries were reported, and the exact value or nature of the stolen items has not been disclosed.
Have any arrests been made following the Co-op break-in?
At this stage, no arrests have been made. Metropolitan Police confirmed that two suspects “made off from the location” before police arrived. Enquiries are ongoing, with officers continuing to search for those responsible.
A police crime scene was set up around the shop overnight to aid the investigation but has since been lifted.
What did the Metropolitan Police say about the incident?
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the Recorder:
“On Thursday (April 17) at 11:55pm officers were called to Farnham Road, Harold Hill to reports of a suspected break-in at a retail premises.
Damage was caused to the front shutter of the store and items were stolen from inside.
A crime scene was in place, but has since been closed.
No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation continues.”
Is the Harold Hill Co-op still open after the break-in?
Despite the damage caused overnight, the Co-op has now reopened to the public. A spokesperson for Co-op confirmed that the incident occurred while the store was closed and reassured customers that the premises is once again operational.
How are police continuing their investigation?
Officers are working to trace the two suspects who fled the scene. The Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist with the ongoing enquiries.
